Abstract: Provided is a cartridge for use in conducting diagnostic assays. The cartridge is configured to maintain sample fluids in a sealed manner and may be used to conduct one or more assays from a single patient sample within a single cartridge. Assays that may be conducted with the cartridge of the present invention include immunoassays and molecular assays. Methods of use for the cartridge and a system for using of the cartridge in combination with a module are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for testing fluid samples includes a sensor, which can be light source, directed to a flow cell and a photo sensor for detecting a light beam reflected from the flow cell. The photo sensor monitors the fluid in the flow cell by sensing the reflected light beam from the flow cell, thereby monitoring the test.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for testing fluid samples includes a sensor, which can be light source, directed to a flow cell and a photo sensor for detecting a light beam reflected from the flow cell. The photo sensor monitors the fluid in the flow cell by sensing the reflected light beam from the flow cell, thereby monitoring the test process. The apparatus may have additional light source so that the photo sensor may monitor the test process by detecting the absorption light beam or fluorescent light beam from the flow cell at different phases of the test process.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for testing fluid samples includes a sensor, which can be light source, directed to a flow cell and a photo sensor for detecting a light beam reflected from the flow cell. The photo sensor monitors the fluid in the flow cell by sensing the reflected light beam from the flow cell, thereby monitoring the test.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for testing fluid samples includes a sensor, which can be light source, directed to a flow cell and a photo sensor for detecting a light beam reflected from the flow cell.

Abstract: A point of care diagnostic platform is provided that has a plurality of modules. A plurality of analytic cartridges are provided. Each cartridge is associated with a module and is configured to directly accept a blood sample from a standard blood draw tube.

Abstract: A point of care diagnostic system has a plurality of modules and a plurality of analytic cartridges. A host computer is coupled to the plurality of modules, all of which share control by the host computer. The host computer is coupled to an interface. Each module has a corresponding interface component.

Abstract: A system and method for limiting particulate interference at a test element surface in a flow cell. The system includes a fluid conduit for allowing the particulate component of the sample to settle with gravity and a flow cell for analyzing the reduced particulate zone formed in the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A self-contained reagent package device for an assay comprises a support member and a plurality of wells in the support member. All of the wells are capable of retaining liquids therein. At least one of the wells has an aperture at its bottom end for the passage of liquids therethrough. The one well includes a carrier to which a reagent is bound and further includes a porous filter positioned between the carrier and the aperture which is capable of retaining liquids used in the assay under normal atmospheric pressure conditions. The filter permits the passage of those liquids, including unbound and soluble substances, at increased pressure within the one well. Further, the filter is capable of retaining the carrier and substances bound thereto. At least one of the wells includes a predetermined amount of reagent therein. Another of the wells is empty so that the specimen to be assayed may be deposited therein.

Abstract: A self-contained reagent package device for an assay comprises a support member and a plurality of wells in the support member. All of the wells are capable of retaining liquids therein. One of the wells has on its interior surfaces an immunoreactive substance for carrying out the assay. At least one of the wells includes a predetermined amount of reagent therein. Another of the wells is empty so that the specimen to be assayed may be deposited therein. A protective cover is sealed over the open ends of the wells to maintain the incorporated reagents in stable form prior to use. The cover preferably does not seal the open end of one of the wells which serves as a specimen collecting well.

Abstract: An improved competitive protein binding assay comprising; incubating an analyte in the presence of labeled analyte and a protein binder suitable for competitive binding activity by the analyte and the labeled analyte to provide a mixture having free analyte, free labeled analyte, bound analyte and bound labeled analyte, substantially separating the bound analyte and the bound labeled analyte from the free analyte and free labeled analyte to form a first fraction containing substantially the bound analyte and the bound labeled analyte and a second fraction containing substantially the free analyte and the free labeled analyte by causing a predetermined level of the mixture to flow through a bed of an organo-silane coupled to silica gel, and detecting the labeled analyte of at least one of the first and second fractions to determine the concentration of the analyte by comparison to a reference.